Specialized teams up with London-Paris

Specialized, a bicycle manufacturer from the USA, has signed a deal to be the official bike sponsors for London-Paris 2009. Specialized is based in California and will become the main jersey sponsor for eight team captains and supply them with helmets, race shoes, gloves and eyewear. Specialized riders will be equipped with Tarmac Expert or Roubaix Expert bicycles.

Sven Thiele, director of the London-Paris '09 Pro-Am Cycle Tour, was looking forward to the partnership. "This is an exciting move for our event. London-Paris has established itself as one of the world's leading cyclosportives and to have endorsement from a big player like Specialized is a key moment in our development."

Former Tour de France winner, Stephen Roche, has announced that he will be riding next year's event and other big names are expected to follow.

London-Paris '09 runs from June 25 – 28th, 2009. It is a unique three-day "Tour de France" style endurance event for amateur and cyclosportive riders. Like a pro event it has full support, rolling road closures and covers 550 kilometres in three days followed by a rest day in Paris.